Dance Marathon Welcomes Liver Recipient Home

Sandra Pelczynski, the 16-year-old Palmerton R.2 girl who received a liver transplant in January, was released Friday from Presbyterian University Hospital in Pittsburgh.

She was welcomed home with a benefit dance marathon at Blue Mountain Ski Area at Little Gap.

The Palmerton High School junior is doing well and is in good spirits, said her sister, Diane Weiss of Palmerton.

"I guess she's doing really good," Weiss said Friday afternoon while waiting for Sandra to arrive home. "I got a phone call from her yesterday and she sounded really excited."

Weiss said Sandra will have to return to the hospital every two weeks for tests to make sure her new liver is functioning properly.

The dance marathon, which was sponsored by the Palmerton High School Senior Girls, ran from 8 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Saturday and raised $1,860.

Sandra seemed quite happy to be home and was, as one observer noted, "dancing up a storm." About 60 students, 32 of whom solicited pledges, attended the dance.

"Being out of the hospital is great," said Sandra while on the dance floor. "The doctor said have fun and live it up."

Sandra will return today to school, where she is a member of the school newspaper, student council and the Palmerton Youth Education Association.

Sandra received the liver transplant Jan. 21 after she was diagnosed last year as having sclerosis of the liver.

The hospital stay was trying on Sandra, who often was depressed over her inactivity and the lack of hometown news. She also had a bout with a virus that kept her in bed for several weeks and a rash that made her uncomfortable, her sister said.

But now that she's home, it seems the road to recovery will be much smoother.

Those interested in donating money to help pay for Sandra's medical expenses may send checks to the Sandra Pelczynski Trust Fund, First National Bank of Palmerton, 4th Street and Lafayette Avenue, Palmerton, 18701, or to the American Liver Transplant Fund, in care of Sandra Pelczynski, P.O. Box 138, Palmerton 18701.